THE CONTEXT British Columbia is currently experiencing political turmoil. It is a time of social/cultural transition and an opportunity to do things differently, rather than revert to patterns of the past. For the past 16 years, wildlife protection has been systematically eroded through underfunding, staff cuts and lack of long-term vision. It is a history…

THE ISSUE When the government announced that all hunting license revenue, plus $5 million in government start-up money, would be invested in an independent agency to manage BC wildlife, we in the wildlife advocacy community asked: how could such a critical public policy decision about the future of B.C. wildlife be decided upon by a…

Killing wild animals for sport and trophy display was popularized in the mid 1800s by predominantly male hunters. It glamorized killing as a way to demonstrate virility, dominance and prowess. Things have changed since 1850. For one thing, we know a great deal more about the intelligence and emotional life of Grizzly Bears. They experience…

How do you describe the face of a Grizzly Bear? It’s an impossible question. Here’s why: The face of a Grizzly Bear is – all of the above. And more ….. in the moment ….. Photo credits with thanks to: Bob Benvenuti, Charlie Russell, Jamie Scott, Jim Lawrence (kootenayreflections.com), John E. Marriott (wildernessprints.com), Steve Williamson…

Is there a future for B.C. Grizzly Bears? “As a paradigm shift in thinking, feeling and acting … we must be bold, proactive, positive, passionate and persistent.” ~ Marc Bekoff 2015 ~ Teetering on the edge of provincial politics, economy, ecology and ethics, the B.C. grizzly hunt holds a mirror to British Columbians’ values. Retiring…

Compassionate Conservation At the passenger arrival gate in Victoria airport I am greeted by a stunning poster of a large Grizzly Bear with a salmon in his/her mouth. This is a majestic creature. My first response is to gasp at the wonder of him. My second is to hope he is still alive and makes…

Image used with direct permission of the artist, Robert Bissell. Description: Bear figures dominate the visual space of the art, with some featured prominently in the foreground and many others emerging from the background in a seemingly endless stream coming towards the viewer out of the water. The soft muted blue colour gradient highlights…